Card display device



Sept. 29, 1942.

Filed Nov. 7, 1940 2 sheetsfiSheet l 00m WAIT Fla! .7

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CARD DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Nov. 7, 1940 2 SheetsSheet 2 FIGJO.

8 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 29, 1942 UNITED STATES i- A'EENT OFFICE CARD DISPLAY DEVICE Willis I. McCord, Little Falls, N. J.

Application November 7, 1940, Serial No. 364,678

7 Claims.

This invention relates to advertising card and picture display devices, and has for its principal object the provision of means for displaying effectively two different-sized display cards, each of which carries matter to be displayed complementary to the matter carried by the other. Among the more particular objects of the invention is the provision of means for displaying two such cards, removable separately, in mountings arranged so that to persons viewing the display device the smaller card appears to be mounted upon and framed by the larger card. The invention may be employed with particular effectiveness for the display of a relatively small foreground photograph in conjunction with a relatively large background show card for advertising purposes.

In accordance with the present invention there are provided two display frames of different sizes, one a relatively large frame provided with grooves adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively large placard, and the other a relatively small display frame also provided with grooves adapted to receive and sup port the edge portions of a relatively small placard or photograph. The smaller frame is positioned with respect to the larger frame so that. the smaller frame appears, to a person viewing the device from in front, to be disposed within the borders of the larger frame. In order to prevent obstructing the insertion of the relatively large placard in the larger frame, however, the smaller frame is positioned slightly forward of the larger frame, but in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the larger frame.

Being positioned forward of the larger frame and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the larger frame, the smaller frame holds the smaller card or photograph so that it appears from in front to be mounted upon and framed by the larger card held in the larger frame. Thus the larger card functions as a background placard, and the smaller card functions as a foreground placard.

The means contemplated by the invention for positioning the smaller frame with respect to the larger frame includes a crosspiece secured to the larger frame and extending across the front thereof.' The smaller frame is suitably secured to this crosspiece. be employed for securing the smaller frame permanently to the crosspiece, or if desired the securing means may be of such nature as to permit the smaller frame to be turned angularly relatively to the larger frame.

Rigid securing means may In the device of the invention the two display frames are disposed so that the larger background placard may be changed independently of the smaller foreground placard or photograph, and conversely so that a new foreground placard or photograph may be substituted without disturbing the background placard. This arrangement obviates the necessity of discarding the entire display when either the foreground or the background card has served its purpose. Such a contingency may arise, for instance, when the foreground card or photograph describes or illustrates particular property to be sold, and the background card contains an exhortation to buy in general terms. When the property has been sold, the foreground card alone may be replaced by a card describing or illustrating the subject of another desired sale, while the background card alone may be changed if a prompt sale does not result or when its advertising message finally becomes obsolete.

In addition to its utilitarian features, this display device is striking and pleasing to the eye, thus adding to its effectiveness when used for advertising purposes. Its effectiveness is due in part to the fact, mentioned above, that the smaller card appears to be mounted upon and framed by the larger card, as will be clearly understood from the accompanying drawings. Structural details of preferred embodiments of the device of the invention will also be more clearly understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawings, in which Fig. l is a front elevation of one form of the composite frame of the invention suitably mounted on a supporting stand;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevation of the form of composite frame shown in Fig. 1, but without the supporting stand and without display cards mounted therein;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken substantially along the line 44 of Fig. 2, with the horizontal portions at the bottom of both the larger and smaller frames omitted for purposes of clarity;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of another embodiment of the composite frame of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section taken substantially along the line 66 of Fig. 5, with the horizontal portions at the bottom of both frames omitted for clarity;

Fig. '7 is a front elevation of still another embodiment of the composite frame of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a cross-section taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7, with the horizontal portions at the bottom of both frames omitted for clarity;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the connecting means between the crossbar and the crosspiece shown in Fig. 6; and

Fig. is a cross-section taken substantially along I9I0 in Fig. 9.

The device as shown in front elevation in Fig. 1 comprises a decorative base II, upon which is mounted an upright backboard I2, also suitably decorated. A relatively large display frame I3 is mounted on the backboard I2. The relatively large frame I3 is provided with grooves I4 adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively large background placard I5. A relatively small display frame I6, which appears from in front to be disposed within the borders of the larger frame I3, is positioned slightly forward of the larger frame I3 in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the larger frame. grooves II, adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively small foreground placard or photograph I8. The grooves may advantageously be wide enough to accommodate a plate of glass in front of the placard or photograph; this is particularly advantageous with photographs, the glass preserving and preventing curling of the photographic paper. A crosspiece I9 is secured at the end portions 29 and 2! thereof to the larger frame I3 and extends across the front of the larger frame I3 and the background placard I5. The smaller frame I6 is secured at the back thereof to the crosspiece I9.

To illustrate a suggested use of the device contemplated by the invention, the background placard I5 carries the general exhortation, Dont Wait Until Prices Go Upl3uy Now, with part of this legend above the smaller frame I6 and part below the smaller frame in suitably artistic fashion, and the foreground placard I8 consists of a photograph of a house for sale. There are many obvious variations of the arrangement of advertising matter in the smaller and larger frames.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 show the composite frame in greater detail without the backboard for mounting the device and without the display cards.

The smaller frame I9 is rigidly secured at points on the back thereof to the front of the crosspiece I9. The smaller frame l3 may advantageously be secured at points 22 and 23 on the backs of the vertical sides of the smaller frame I6 to the front of the crosspiece I3. The crosspiece may be conformed and fastened at its ends 29 and 2! to the inner surfaces of the larger frame, that is, the surfaces outlining the grooves I4, or the crosspiece may pass in front of the larger frame and be fastened to the outer surfaces of the frame. As it is easy to clamp the crosspiece to the inside of the grooves I4, and as the crosspiece may be made thin enough so as not to obstruct insertion of a background placard in the grooves l4, fastening of the crosspiece to the inner surfaces of the frame is particularly advantageous, for the ends of the crosspiece I9 are thus hidden from view.

The larger frame I3 may be mounted in any convenient manner. or it may be hung, for instance by means of wires fastened to the upper The smaller frame I6 is provided with ends of the vertical sides of the larger frame.

Although both the smaller and the larger frames are shown in the drawings as being three-sided, the fourth (upper) side of either or both of the frames I3 and I6 may be provided if desired, as by continuing the portion of the frame forming the front walls of the grooves across the top of the frame without supplying the other portions of the frame which make up the other walls of grooves. On the other hand, the front and back portions of the horizontal bottom leg of the frame may be omitted from one or both frames, leaving grooves at the sides of the frame only and simply a floor for the placard to rest on at the bottom of the frame. Other variations in the structure of the frames and in the formation of the grooves also will be apparent. Although it is advantageous generally to construct the frames of sheet metal, other suitable materials of construction are also within the scope of the invention.

As suggested above, photographs may advantageously be used as the display card in the smaller frame. Display cards of this and other types are often viewed with the longer axis vertical instead of horizontal. For this reason it may be desirable, instead of using means for securing the smaller frame rigidly to the crosspiece, to use securing means of such nature as to permit the smaller frame to be mounted in a plurality of positions angularly with respect to the larger frame. When the smaller frame is intended to contain photographs, for example, it is often desirable to use securing means permitting the longer axis of the smaller frame to be either horizontal or vertical.

One such securing means is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. The frame shown in these figures likewise comprises a larger frame 43 provided with grooves 44 adapted to receive the edge portions of a relatively large background placard. A smaller frame 43 is positioned slightly forward of the larger frame 43 in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the larger frame. The smaller frame 46 is provided with grooves 41 adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively small foreground placard or photograph rectangular in shape. A crossbar 48 is secured to the smaller frame 45 and extends across the back thereof. A crosspiece 49 is secured at the ends thereof to the larger frame 43 and extends across the front of the larger frame.

Tongue and groove means are provided for securing the smaller frame 46, through its cross bar 48, to the crosspiece 49. The tongue and groove means comprise grooved members 5I and a square tongued member 52 adapted to slide into the grooved members. Either the grooved members or the tongued member is secured to the crosspiece 49 and the other to the crossbar 48. In the arrangement illustrated the grooved members 5I are secured to the cross bar 48 and the square tongued member 52 is secured to the crosspiece 49. A stop member 53 is fastened to the crossbar 48 just above the grooved members 5!. The grooved members 5| provide two grooved sections facing each other, and these grooved sections slide over the tongueson opposite sides of the square tongued member until the stop member 53 hits the tongue on a third side of the tongued member. It will be evident that the grooved members will slide sideways as well as vertically into the tongued member, which is square and has tongues on all four sides. If the longer axis of the smaller frame 46 is horizontal when the grooved members are slid vertically on to the tongued member 52, the longer axis of the smaller frame will be vertical when the grooved members are inserted sideways into the tongued member. Thus rotated through 90 degrees, the smaller frame 54 appears in dotted lines in Fig. 5 with its longer axis vertical.

Another type of securing means is illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8, in which a larger frame 63 is shown provided with grooves 64. A smaller frame 66 is positioned slightly forward of the larger frame 63 in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the larger frame. The smaller frame 66 is provided with grooves 61. A crossbar 6B is secured to the smaller frame 66 and extends across the back thereof. A crosspiece 69 is secured at the ends thereof to the larger frame 63.

This modification of the device of the invention includes pivotal means for securing said crossbar 68 to said crosspiece 69. The pivotal means comprise a pin 10 passing through the crossbar 68 and the crosspiece 69, whereby the smaller frame 66 may be turned relatively to the larger frame 63 to any desired angle. The pin Ill may be in the nature of a rivet, whose ends are turned down tightly enough to hold the crossbar and crosspiece firmly but not so tightly as to make difficult the pivotal motion of the crossbar relative to the crosspiece. washer H through which the pin 7!] runs may be interposed between the crossbar and the crosspiece to space these members a suitable distance from each other.

If desired, one or more stop members 12 may be mounted on the crossbar 68. The stop member is somewhat longer than the thickness of washer H, so that it is adapted to engage with the top (or bottom) of the crosspiece 69 in such manner as to limit the movement of the smaller frame relatively to the larger frame to a desired extent. To secure a pivotal motion through a predetermined angle using but a single stop, for example, the stop member 12 should be so located that a straight line through the center of the stop member 12 when it is in contact with the top (or bottom) of the crosspiece 59 at either limit of pivotal movement and through the center of pin 10 will form an angle equal to half the predetermined angle with the top (or botv tom) of the crosspiece. Thus, to secure a pivotal motion through about 90 degrees, the angle between the two lines defined above will be about 45 degrees, as in Fig. 7. If desired, two (or even more) suitably placed stop members may be employed to limit rotation of the smaller frame.

I claim:

1. An advertising card and picture display device comprising two display frames of different sizes, one a relatively large display frame provided with grooves adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively large background placard in such manner that the placard may be readily removed from the frame, and the other a relatively small display frame appearing from in front to be disposed within the borders of said larger frame but being positioned slightly forward of the larger frame and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the larger frame, said smaller frame being provided with grooves adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively small foreground placard in such manner that the placard may be readily removed from the frame without disturbing a placard mounted in the larger frame, a crosspiece secured to the larger frame and extending across the front thereof in any one of a plurality of possible positions such that the smaller frame appears from in front to be disposed within the borders of the larger frame, and means securing the smaller frame to said crosspiece.

2. An advertising card and picture display device comprising a base, an upright backboard mounted on said base, a relatively large display frame mounted on said backboard and provided with grooves adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively large background placard in such manner that the placard may be readily removed from the frame, a relatively small display frame appearing from in front to be disposed Within the borders of said larger frame but being positioned slightly forward of the larger frame and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the larger frame, said smaller frame being provided with grooves adapt ed to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively small foreground placard in such manner that the placard may be readily removed from the frame without disturbing a placard mounted in the larger frame, a crosspiece secured to the larger frame and extending across the front thereof in any one of a plurality of possible positions such that the smaller frame appears from in front to be disposed within the borders of the larger frame, and means securing the smaller frame to said crosspiece.

3. An advertising card and piscture display device comprising two display frames of different sizes, one a relatively large display frame provided with grooves adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively large background placard in such manner that the placard may be readily removed from the frame, and the other a relatively small display frame appearing from in front to be disposed Within the borders of said larger frame but being positioned slightly forward of the larger frame and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the larger frame, said smaller frame being provided with grooves adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively small foreground placard in such manner that the placard may be readily removed from the frame Without disturbing a placard mounted in the larger frame, a crosspiece secured to the larger frame and extending across the front thereof in any one of a plurality of possible positions such that the smaller frame appears from in front to be disposed within the borders of the larger frame, and means rigidly securing the smaller frame to said crosspiece.

4. An advertising card and picture display device comprising two display frames of different sizes, one a relatively large display frame provided with grooves adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively large background placard, and the other a relatively small display frame appearing from in front to be disposed within the borders of said larger frame but being positioned slightly forward of the larger frame and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the larger frame, said smaller frame being provided with grooves adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively small foreground placard, a crossbar secured to the smaller frame and extending across the back thereof, a crosspiece secured to the larger frame and extending across the front thereof, and "means securing said crossbar to said crosspiece in such manner as to permit the smaller frame to be mounted in a plurality of positions angularly with respect to the larger frame.

5. An advertising card and picture display device comprising two display frames of different sizes, one a relatively large display frame provided with grooves adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively large background placard, and the other a relatively small display frame appearing from in front to be disposed within the borders of said larger frame but being positioned slightly forward of the larger frame and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the larger frame, said smaller frame being provided with grooves adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively small foreground placard, a crossbar secured to the smaller frame and extending across the back thereof, a crosspiece secured to the larger frame and extending across the front thereof, and tongue and groove means for securing the smaller frame to said crosspiece, said securing means comprising a grooved member and a square tongued member adapted to slide into the grooved member, one of these members being mounted on said crosspiece and the other on said crossbar, whereby said smaller frame may be mounted on said crosspiece in a plurality of positions angularly with respect to said larger frame.

6. An advertising card and picture display device comprising two display frames of different sizes, one a relatively large display frame provided with grooves adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively large background placard, and the other a relatively small display frame appearing from in front to be disposed within the borders of said larger frame but being positioned slightly forward of the larger frame and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the larger frame, said smaller frame being provided with grooves adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively small foreground placard, a crossbar secured to the smaller frame and extending across the back thereof, a crosspiece secured to the larger frame and extending across the front thereof, and pivotal means securing said crossbar to said crosspiece, said pivotal securing means comprising a pin passing through the crossbar and the crosspiece whereby the smaller frame may be turned angularly relatively to the larger frame.

7. An advertising card and picture display device comprising two display frames of different sizes, one a relatively large display frame provided with grooves adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively large background placard, and the other a relatively small display frame appearing from in front to be disposed within the borders of said larger frame but being positioned slightly forward of the larger frame and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the larger frame, said smaller frame being provided with grooves adapted to receive and support the edge portions of a relatively small foreground placard, a crossbar with a stop member mounted thereon secured to the smaller frame and extending across the back thereof, a crosspiece secured to the larger frame and extending across the front thereof, and pivotal means securing said crossbar to said crosspiece, said pivotal securing means comprising a pin passing through the crossbar and the crosspiece whereby the smaller frame may be turned relatively to the larger frame, and said stop member being positioned so as to engage with the crosspiece in such manner as to limit the degree to which the smaller frame may be turned relatively to the larger frame.

'WILLIS I. MCCORD. 

